Opening session, Sat., May 14, 3 p.m.

In his talk to ISCON, Steve Forbes, president and CEO of Forbes, Inc., and editor-in-chief of Forbes magazine, will explore how the economy influences American social values. With his knowledge of the economy, Forbes is able to translate the micro and macro economic trends that affect the future of business, government and families.

Forbes says that the prospects for the U.S. economy are dazzling, offering people more freedom and opportunity than ever before. However, he says, we also face serious challenges, including a record-high tax burden, suffocating regulatory restrictions, and record government spending. The challenge, he says, is to raise a new generation of leaders who understand the times and know what America must do.

"The world is looking to the U.S. for an example of how free people can adapt and advance amid changing times and circumstances," said Forbes, in a statement. "If we get it right, others will have the chance to get it right. But if we stumble, others will be at risk."

Sat., May 14, 9 a.m.; and Sun. May 15, 2:15 p.m.

Culture is the glue that holds together values, beliefs, sense of self, confidence and trust in people. Believing, or not believing, in the culture can be the life or death of it. The best cultures involve strong leadership at every level of the organization. Jerry Haney will spell out the six critical elements of a cultural renewal process that could propel an organization to improve its bottom line; attract, motivate and retain top talent; and nurture an organizational culture that thrives on change.

Sun., May 15, 2:15 p.m. and 3:45 p.m.

Dave Kahle believes that there is more potential for growth and profitability within a sales force than in any other area in a company. A rapidly changing environment means that a sales force must be significantly different if a company is going to survive and thrive. In this idea-filled session, Kahle will show attendees how to make immediate and lasting changes in the performance of their salespeople. Author of the book, How to Excel at Distributor Sales, Kahle has published more than 500 articles and has helped hundreds of companies transform their salespeople.

Sun., May 15, 2:15 p.m. and 3:45 p.m.

Growth and sustained profitability for an organization requires that the leaders attract and keep top-level talent. In this session, Dr. Joanne Sujansky will challenge attendees to recognize the significant role they play in the retention, from the plant floor to all levels of management; create and sustain a vibrant entrepreneurial culture; and develop people who are high producers and committed to staying with the organization.

Sun., May 15, 2:15 p.m. and 3:45 p.m.

Lean is about the elimination of waste, or non-value added activities, and according to Jim Handy, it is the foundation of the high-performance enterprise. The fundamental effect of eliminating waste is to reduce the time from customer order to delivering the product. Handy will share the "Skinny about Lean," and how the application of lean principles can make a company more effective and responsive to a customer's needs.

Sun., May 15, 2:15 p.m. and 3:45 p.m.

Attendees will learn the basic steps required to start or enhance their international business program in this session, where both importers and exporters will learn the latest details from the Department of Commerce Export Assistance Center. The second half of the session will consist of a panel of experienced ISA members that can assist attendees in developing their international market.

Sun., May 15, 12:30 p.m.

As ISA's inaugural Annual Meeting, this event marks the first time manufacturers, distributors, manufacturer's representatives and industry service providers assemble as members of ISA. At the meeting, attendees will receive a first-hand update from ISA's leadership on current initiatives and progress being made. Attendees can get involved in shaping the association to meet their needs.

Sat., May 14, 12 p.m.

The forum, open to distributors with sales of less than $7.5 million and all manufacturers, is a lively and stimulating meeting for attendees, who benefit from the creative blend of presentations by industry insider experts and roundtable conversations with peers. In this forum, attendees will learn how others have created and used market information, generated a new demand for products, and approached value-add as a revenue stream.

Manufacturers: Sun. May 15, 8 a.m.; Distributors: Mon., May 16, 8 a.m.

The Industrial Supply Manufacturer and Distributor Conference Program provides a unique venue for one-on-one conversations in an ultimate networking environment. Manufacturers will lead off the program on Sunday with a four-hour session that can be expanded to additional one-on-one sessions in the afternoon. Distributors host the program on Tuesday for six hours, during which lunch will be provided.